We really appreciate the time dentists take to fill out surveys like these – the data really helps us to understand the issues facing our members and gives us the evidence we need to help tackle them.

In our last general workforce survey, morale amongst SAS dentists working in hospitals was particularly low– we believe this is causing a serious retention problem and, left unchecked, it could impact on the hospital dental service's ability to deliver the best care to their patients.

Hospital dentists may be relatively small in number to some of the other fields of dentistry, but that doesn't mean we work any less hard on your behalf, or care about it any less.

Our campaigning and lobbying work takes time and involves a lot of people behind the scenes, your representatives. We do it, so you don't have to, but we hope that you will show your support by taking part in our surveys, and by continuing your BDA membership.

If you've not yet joined us, I strongly urge you to do so, here are just three reasons that I hope will help persuade you:

Your contract. Trainees have a new contract, Consultants are in the process of receiving a new contract and it is beyond likely that the SAS grades will enter negotiations on a new contract soon. If you would like a say on the outcome of this, or input into what we negotiate, you need to be a member.

Your daily working life. We ensure that what is in your contract is what you are asked to work. Where employers don't want to abide by all the rules we hold them to account.

Your education. We provide an annual study day to give you a broad perspective on the hospital dental services, both clinically and politically.